NRI Client FAQ

An individual is considered a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) if they have stayed outside India for 182 days or more during the relevant financial year, or if they have left India for employment, business, or any other purpose indicating an intention to stay abroad for an uncertain period, as per FEMA and Income Tax regulations.

SOURCE: Income Tax Department of India

NRIs can hold the following types of bank accounts in India, subject to RBI regulations:

• NRE (Non-Resident External) Account:
  Used to park overseas income in India. Both principal and interest are generally freely repatriable, and interest earned is tax-free in India, subject to applicable laws.
• NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) Account:
  Used to manage income earned in India such as rent, dividends, or pensions. Repatriation is permitted up to prescribed limits, and interest earned is taxable in India.

For NRI KYC, the following documents are generally required:

• Valid PAN card
• Passport (photo and address pages)
• Valid visa / residence permit
• Overseas address proof
• NRE / NRO bank account proof
• FATCA / CRS declaration

KYC is generally a one-time process, but it must be updated whenever there is a change in your personal details such as address, contact information, residential status, or documents (passport, visa, etc.). For NRIs, periodic re-validation may be required as per regulatory guidelines. Keeping KYC up to date ensures smooth transactions and avoids account or investment restrictions.

NRIs can invest in a wide range of financial instruments in India, subject to RBI, SEBI, and FEMA regulations. These include:

• Mutual Funds – Equity, debt, and hybrid funds through NRE or NRO accounts (eligibility may vary based on country of residence).
• Portfolio Management Services (PMS) – Professionally managed and customized portfolios.
• Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) – Private equity, venture capital, and structured investment strategies.
• Indian Equities – Direct investment in listed shares through a Demat and trading account under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS).
• Fixed Deposits – NRE, NRO, and FCNR deposits offering stable returns.
• Bonds & Debt Instruments – Government securities, PSU bonds, and corporate bonds.
• Real Estate – Residential and commercial properties (excluding agricultural land and plantations).
• National Pension System (NPS) – Long-term retirement and pension planning option.
• Gold Investments – Gold ETFs and other permitted gold instruments.

All investments are subject to applicable documentation, KYC requirements, taxation, and repatriation rules, which may vary depending on the country of residence and regulatory guidelines.

Yes, NRIs residing in certain countries may be subject to additional regulatory and compliance requirements based on local laws and the policies of individual Asset Management Companies (AMCs). Investment eligibility and product availability can vary across countries and across schemes. Some schemes may have restrictions for residents of specific jurisdictions.

NRIs are advised to check eligibility and complete the required formalities before investing. Connect with us to know more about country-specific guidelines and available investment options.

Yes, a PAN (Permanent Account Number) is mandatory for NRIs for making investments in India, as well as for taxation and regulatory compliance purposes.

Yes, investment proceeds can be repatriated abroad, subject to RBI and FEMA regulations. Repatriation depends on the type of bank account used—investments made through NRE accounts are generally freely repatriable, while proceeds from NRO accounts are subject to prescribed limits and documentation requirements.

Repatriable investments:
These allow both the principal and returns to be freely transferred abroad, subject to applicable regulations. Investments made through NRE generally considered repatriable.

Non-repatriable investments:
These have restrictions on transferring funds abroad. Investments made through NRO accounts are typically non-repatriable or repatriable only up to prescribed limits and after meeting documentation requirements.

SAFEInvest provides end-to-end operational support to NRIs, including assistance with documentation, account setup, transaction processing, and coordination with platforms and Asset Management Companies (AMCs). Our team ensures smooth execution and timely resolution of service-related queries.

NRIs can track their investments through account statements, online NJ Platform, and periodic reports provided by the respective platforms and intermediaries. SAFEInvest also assists NRIs with MF portfolio reviews and consolidated reporting to help monitor investments effectively.

NRIs live outside India, so their investments involve cross-border laws, taxation, and foreign exchange regulations. To ensure transparency and legal compliance in both India and the country of residence, additional documentation and checks are required.

If your residential status changes (Resident ↔ NRI), you must update your banking and investment details as per FEMA and tax regulations. Resident bank accounts need to be converted to NRO/NRE accounts (or vice versa on return to India). Your tax treatment and eligibility for certain investments may also change.

Timely intimation and KYC updates with banks and investment providers are mandatory to avoid compliance issues.

NRIs are not required to visit India for most investment and service-related formalities. The majority of processes, including KYC, onboarding, documentation, and transactions, can be completed digitally or through courier, subject to regulatory requirements and country-specific guidelines.

Starting your investment journey with SAFEinvest is simple and hassle-free.

Just share your interest with us by emailing us or sending a message on our WhatsApp number. Once we hear from you, we will assign you a dedicated Relationship Manager who will understand your financial objectives and investment needs.

Your Relationship Manager will then:

• Discuss your objectives and risk profile
• Create a need-based investment plan tailored for you
• Guide you through the complete onboarding process, including KYC and required documentation

From there, we take care of the rest and ensure a smooth and compliant investment experience for you as an NRI.

Onboarding typically takes 15 working days, subject to timely submission of documents and completion of KYC and regulatory checks. Timelines may vary based on country of residence and documentation requirements.

You can contact your Relationship Manager directly through phone or email shared with you at the time of onboarding. You may also reach out to our central support/NRI desk, and your request will be promptly routed to your assigned Relationship Manager for assistance.

The service team is available during Indian business hours, from 10 am to 6 pm IST, Monday through Saturday. Please note that the second and fourth Saturdays of every month are non-working days. However, we support NRI clients across time zones through scheduled calls, email communication, and prior appointments, ensuring timely assistance and minimal inconvenience regardless of your location.

Yes. We communicate through email and WhatsApp for routine updates, queries, and coordination. However, official instructions, transactions, and compliance-related requests must be shared through approved and documented channels to meet regulatory requirements.